Philip Hammond: Driving a train so easy that ‘even a woman can do it’
1 min read
Chancellor Philip Hammond has found himself at the centre of a sexism row for reportedly saying that driving a train is so easy that even a woman can do it.
The Sun reports that Mr Hammond made the comment on Tuesday at a Cabinet meeting when discussing union train staff.
Mr Hammond asked why it was so rare to see female train drivers, adding that driving modern trains was so simple that “even they can do it”.
Prime Minister Theresa May interrupted him as he tried to explain the comment, saying “Chancellor, I am going to take your shovel away from you”, the paper claims.
Labour MP Jess Phillips said: “Phillip Hammond has disgraced himself with the remark, as well as managing to insult half the country’s population”.
However, sources close the chancellor said that the phrase was in fact said by another cabinet member unfairly characterising Mr Hammond’s view.
The Treasury refused to comment.
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